body,date,page,text,path
PlanningBoard,2018-05-14,1,"APPROVED MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING OF THE
CITY OF ALAMEDA PLANNING BOARD
MONDAY, MAY 14, 2018
1. CONVENE
President Mitchell convened the meeting at 7:01pm
2. FLAG SALUTE
Board Member Curtis led the flag salute.
3. ROLL CALL
Present: President Mitchell, Board Members Burton, Cavanaugh, Curtis, Sullivan,
Teague.
Absent: None
4. AGENDA CHANGES AND DISCUSSION
*None*
5. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
*None*
6. CONSENT CALENDAR
6-A 2018-5560
PLN16-0314 - Design Review - Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal.
Applicant: City of Alameda. Public Hearing to consider Design Review
approval pursuant to AMC Section 30-37 for new ferry terminal
improvements located at the Seaplane Lagoon in the NAS Alameda historic
district. The environmental effects of the proposed project were considered
and disclosed in the Seaplane Lagoon Addendum to the Alameda Point
Environmental Impact Report. No further environmental review is required
under the California Environmental Quality Act
Board Member Teague asked to pull item 6-A from the consent calendar.
*proceeded after item 6-B*
Board Member Teague said he pulled the item because of the Historical Advisory Board
comments and his own design questions regarding the lighting and additional information
shared with the board.
Staff Member Tai gave a report on the item. The staff report and attachments can be found
at: https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3494068&GUID=55BFBC80-
CCBF-4B86-9EOE-7DEDA8F16413&FullText=1
Approved Meeting Minutes
Page 1 of 9
May 14, 2018
Planning Board Meeting",PlanningBoard/2018-05-14.pdf
PlanningBoard,2018-05-14,2,"Board Member Curtis asked if the glass wall met the code requirements.
Staff Member Tai said the code requirement is for 42 inches and the glass wall is designed
to 60 inches.
Board Member Curtis said that raising the wall would be an unnecessary cost increase
and suggested the board override that suggestion by the HAB.
Board Member Teague asked if the removal of the handrail for aesthetic reasons would
create an accessibility issue.
Kent Royal, project architect, said this is a fixed pier and not a ramp and therefore does
not require a handrail. He said five feet is the highest they can cantilever the glass without
additional support.
Board Member Teague said he wanted to specifically exclude the sign lighting from the
motion. He said he was fine with a five foot wall and the other design suggestions.
Board Member Burton said he would be okay with or without the caulking, and thinks the
hand/lean rail should remain.
President Mitchell said he was okay with out without the caulking. He said he prefers the
design without the railing.
Board Member Teague made a motion to approve the supplemental memorandum
with exclusions for the handrail and caulking, retaining the five foot height, and
excluding the uplighting for the sign. Board Member Curtis seconded the motion.
The motion passed 6-0.
6-B 2018-5561
Approve a Resolution Finding that the Harbor Bay Entities have
Demonstrated Good Faith Compliance with the Terms and Conditions of
Development Agreement, DA-89-1, through April 4, 2018, Based on the
Findings Contained in the Draft Resolution. This Compliance Review is not
a project under CEQA
Board Member Teague made a motion to approve the item. Board Member Burton
seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0.
7. REGULAR
AGENDA
ITEMS
7-A 2018-5564
PLN17-0484 - 1123 Versailles Avenue Call for Review - Applicant: Shirley
Xie. A public hearing to consider Design Review to construct a one-story
Approved Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 9
May 14, 2018
Planning Board Meeting",PlanningBoard/2018-05-14.pdf
PlanningBoard,2018-05-14,3,"addition at the rear of an existing split-level single family home. The
addition will add approximately 562 square feet to an existing 974-square
foot residence. The property is listed on the City of Alameda's Historic
Building Study List with a ""B"" designation. The project is located within the
R-1 (One-Family Residence) Zoning District
President Mitchell said he lives close to this property and would be recusing himself for
the item.
Staff Member Sablan gave a presentation. The staff report and attachments can be found
at: https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3494069&GUID=53D9146F
CCEE-4F5E-AOD7-F3AE1F765CB1&FullText=1
The staff report was briefly interrupted by an earthquake.
Board Member Sullivan thanked the applicant for the changes to the plan which she said
fit in beautifully with the neighborhood.
Board Member Burton asked that a condition be added to make the window trim match
the existing house.
Board Member Teague said the existing windows have mismatched trim and staff should
decide which trim should be matched. He commended the applicant for going above and
beyond in accommodating the neighbors' concerns in the plan. He said he believed that
the motion would need to be amended to deal with the Secretary of the Interior
compatibility issue.
Board Member Teague moved approval of the motion with modification to finding
number four to include the finding of compatibility of the addition. Board Member
Curtis seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0. (Mitchell recused)
7-B 2018-5565
1100-1250 Marina Village Parkway Public Hearing to Review and
Comment on the Shipways Residential Project Draft Environmental Impact
Report and Project Design - Applicant: The Cavallari Group, Inc. A public
hearing to review and comment on the adequacy the Draft Environmental
Impact Report (EIR) and project design for the Shipways Residential
Project application. The Shipways Residential Project Draft EIR (State
Clearinghouse No. 2017042021) evaluates the potential environmental
impacts associated with the approval and construction of the proposed
project, and this public hearing is being conducted pursuant to the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)
Approved Meeting Minutes
Page 3 of 9
May 14, 2018
Planning Board Meeting",PlanningBoard/2018-05-14.pdf
PlanningBoard,2018-05-14,4,"at: https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3494070&GUID=D97338CE-
EF4-45A2-BOC4-9307E2E5CAOB&FullText=1
Staff Member Thomas explained the draft EIR process and how the comment period and
approval process works.
Nathan Herrera, project architect, gave a presentation on the current iteration of the
proposal.
Board Member Teague pointed out that the project is requesting a 35% density bonus. He
asked if the project were changed from rental to for sale would that affect the EIR.
Staff Member Thomas said there would be no difference.
President Mitchell opened the public hearing.
Steve Meckfessel said he has been involved in the project since 1982, owns Marina
Village Yacht Harbor, and lives in Alameda. He said he supports the end result of the
project but does not want the marina to be forgotten. He said his birthers are very affected
by noise and dust generated by construction. He said they would need to provide new
restrooms and showers for the tenants of Gate 11, retain parking, and provide equitable
benefits to the community. He said the plan needs to address the traffic the project would
generate.
Robert Nelson said he is a liveaboard resident at Gate 11 near Shipway 1. He said the
many kayakers are drawn to the craneways and shipways from the waterfront side. He
said he submitted five pages of written comments. He said the dEIR does not mention the
tenants and residents of Marina Village who would receive the biggest impacts. He said
there is nothing in the dEIR to discuss hydrographics. He said a water taxi would not be
able to function if the breakwaters that the two craneways provide are removed. He said
the alternative to retain craneways one and four is important. He said they should be
preserved for historical and hydrographic reasons.
President Mitchell closed the public hearing.
Board Member Teague said the visual effect of having the four craneways be the same
length is important for the site to have if possible. He said that on page 311 the TMA
should look at providing transit to the ferry terminal. He said it is unfortunate that we cannot
consider the cumulative effects of construction pollution. He corrected a typo in 4.G.3. He
said the capacity of Encinal High School was not included and should be. He said the
traffic study should note whether it was conducted before or after Oakland changed the
traffic signals on the other side of the Park St. bridge. He said impacts on the High St. and
Approved Meeting Minutes
Page 4 of 9
May 14, 2018
Planning Board Meeting",PlanningBoard/2018-05-14.pdf
PlanningBoard,2018-05-14,5,"Bay Farm bridges are not properly studied. He said some outbound buses are left off of
one of the diagrams. He said AC Transit does not go to the Main St. ferry. He said that if
there were alternatives studied, they should be listed.
Board Member Burton agreed that the impacts on Marina tenants and residents need to
be properly studied.
Board Member Curtis asked where the land for new schools would come from. He said
the emergency services report needs to focus on peak hour response times, suggesting
middle of the night calls bring the average response time down.
Staff Member Thomas said that state law takes away their ability to ask for more regarding
schools when there is an impact fee collected by the district. He said AUSD has a surplus
of available land.
Board Member Sullivan asked if AUSD is planning to build any new schools.
President Mitchell said some schools are overenrolled but the district as a whole is under
enrolled.
Board Member Cavanaugh said he is very concerned with getting cars on and off the
island. He said he likes the idea for the water taxi. He echoed members Teague and Curtis'
remarks.
Board Member Sullivan said she wants to make sure there is sufficient parking. She said
she is concerned about the construction impact on boats.
President Mitchell asked for more explanation on the shift towards vehicle miles traveled
in the analysis.
Staff Member Thomas explained that the state has changed the standards for EIRs from
Level of Service to Vehicle Miles Traveled. He said they are trying to also look at travel
times using the MTC model.
Board Member Burton said the project is tremendously improved from a year ago. He said
the podium design allows the buildings to be broken up but has the potential to feel like
one big wall to pedestrians. He said he would need more detail on some of the materials
choices to make sure the feel would be acceptable. He suggested several changes and
further details that could be provided to convince the board that they are on the right track.
Board Member Teague reiterated his comment that the piers should all go out the same
length to give the same feeling as the historic feel of the site.
Approved Meeting Minutes
Page 5 of 9
May 14, 2018
Planning Board Meeting",PlanningBoard/2018-05-14.pdf
PlanningBoard,2018-05-14,6,"Board Member Cavanaugh said he likes the design of the project.
Board Member Sullivan said that the benefits of separating the buildings is lost because
the building is so elevated. She asked how the building was able to exceed the height
limit.
Staff Member Thomas said that it was a function of the density bonus application, the
board's desire to break up the buildings, and need to fit in the number of units.
Board Member Sullivan said perhaps they should go back to one building and shorten the
overall height in that case, saying you can't do this to the community. She said the vistas
belong to all the residents. She said the cement wood paneling often looks cheap. She
said it should have the maximum allowed parking.
President Mitchell said the entrance could be an interesting design component and is
currently a missed opportunity. He said he is concerned about the amount of lawn space
in the plan and the required water use. He said he would like to see more active space
and less passive space for this somewhat isolated site. He said he is concerned about the
wood paneling as well, saying it could be done well or work out poorly.
8. MINUTES
8-A 2018-5552
Draft Meeting Minutes - April 9th, 2018
Board Member Teague offered a correction attributing a comment regarding the Open
Government Commission on page 3 to President Mitchell instead of himself.
Board Member Sullivan made a motion to approve the minutes with the proposed
changes. Board Member Teague seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0-1
(Burton abstained).
8-B 2018-5553
Draft Meeting Minutes - April 23rd, 2018
Board Member Sullivan suggested a correction to her comments on item 9-B.
Board Member Sullivan made a motion to approve the minutes with the proposed
change. Board Member Burton seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-0-1
(Cavanaugh abstained).
9. STAFF COMMUNICATIONS
9-A 2018-5558
Zoning Administrator and Design Review Recent Actions and Decisions
Approved Meeting Minutes
Page 6 of 9
May 14, 2018
Planning Board Meeting",PlanningBoard/2018-05-14.pdf
PlanningBoard,2018-05-14,7,"Staff Member Thomas gave a brief report. The staff report and plans can be found at:
 https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3494065&GUID=A8F3EC17-
7C11-454F-91FF-D7F5548B6FF5&FullText=1
9-B 2018-5559
Future Public Meetings and Upcoming Community Development
Department Projects
The
report
can
be
found
at:
https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3494066&GUID=B928C671
4927-491D-9B78-1BD6589CD175
10. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS
*None*
11. BOARD COMMUNICATIONS
11-A 2018-5566
Review of Planning Board Rules and Procedures
Staff Member Thomas introduced the item. The current rules can be found at:
ttps://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=3494071&GUID=FD08EC70-
121E-4C4E-8E6D-122026DB665D
President Mitchell said the Open Government Commission had recommendations on
meeting procedures and rules for City Council. He said that his first couple years on the
board had meetings that frequently ran late. He suggested reviewing the policy of holding
board elections on the first meeting that new members attend.
President Mitchell opened the public hearing.
Irene Dieter, chair of the Open Government Commission, suggested that the Planning
Board consider using the same process that the City Council is using for updating its rules
and procedures. She suggested the board consider adopting Rosenberg's Rules of Order
with some supplemental rules.
President Mitchell closed the public hearing.
Board Member Curtis said that this is the first time he has seen this Rules and Procedures
document and that it is very helpful. He said it should be required reading for new
members.
President Mitchell suggested considering an automatic trigger for reducing public
comment to two minutes if a certain number of speakers are reached on an item.
Approved Meeting Minutes
Page 7 of 9
May 14, 2018
Planning Board Meeting",PlanningBoard/2018-05-14.pdf
PlanningBoard,2018-05-14,8,"Board Member Burton said he would support a reasonable trigger for reducing the time
limit for speakers.
Board Member Teague said he is uncomfortable making any changes tonight. He said he
would not like to use a subcommittee to evaluate changes, but rather have options on the
agenda and have a discussion with the entire board.
Board Member Sullivan said she is concerned with the idea of reducing speaking time to
less than three minutes. She said we owe it to the residents to allow them to speak on hot
topics for the community.
Board Member Curtis suggested setting aside some time for reviewing possible changes.
He said we should be very cautious in reducing the public's ability to participate in the
public meeting.
Staff Member Thomas said the future agendas item is there to allow the board to have
some control over the agendas. He also said the board can consider enforcing time limits
for staff and applicant presentations.
Board Member Teague suggested some of the unofficial processes the board uses for
structuring their meetings be codified in the rules and procedures document.
President Mitchell said that they can consider changes at a future meeting. He said
adopting Rosenberg's Rules would change how the board handles motions, requiring a
motion and a second before any discussion takes place.
Board Member Cavanaugh said he likes having the staff report for the public's benefit
because not everyone has read the staff report.
12. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Board Member Sullivan asked for an update on a mixed use project on Webster St. that
the board approved over a year ago.
Staff Member Thomas said the developer sold the entitlements to another developer. He
said the new owner of the entitlements has not submitted plans or pulled building permits.
Board Member Sullivan said the commercial property at High St. and Fernside is
becoming blighted and needs to be addressed.
President Mitchell asked for an update on the new stop lights across the Park St. bridge
in Oakland.
Approved Meeting Minutes
Page 8 of 9
May 14, 2018
Planning Board Meeting",PlanningBoard/2018-05-14.pdf
PlanningBoard,2018-05-14,9,"Staff Member Thomas said he is not sure. He said he can get someone from Public Works
to update the board.
13. ADJOURNMENT
President Mitchell adjourned the meeting at 9:18pm.
Approved Meeting Minutes
Page 9 of 9
May 14, 2018
Planning Board Meeting",PlanningBoard/2018-05-14.pdf